Thirty centuries sculpture

Room 1.09: The human form

It seems appropriate to present the history of the thirty centuries through the changing concept of human representations. The spotlight is on two masterpieces which are two millennia apart and yet adhere to the same formal laws; the alert, open expression on the portrait bust, dating back to the age of the pyramids around 2500 BC, meeting the introverted gaze of the Green Head, dated to ca. 400 BC, the embodiment of the wisdom of an ancient but unabatedly creative culture. The austere portraits of the Old Kingdom, the individualism of the faces of the Middle Kingdom, the sensitivity of the heads of the Amarna Period, the classical works of the Late Period, and the works influenced by Hellenist encounters, show the historic change in the human image.

The Berliner 'Green Head'

Late Period, Dynasty 30, ca. 350 BCGreywackeHeight 21,5 cmInv.-No. ÄM 12500The characteristics of Late Period sculpture including the perfect rendition of the face and delicate smoothing of the surface can be seen here. This head of a statue of an aging man also reveals his character: Reserved, knowledgeable, experienced and of strong determination.
Other facts such as name and titles are unfortunately not known since the back pillar is not engraved, however the shaved head indicates a representation of a priest.

Room 1.10: Pharaoh

Pharaoh, 'the great house¬", is the epitome of three millennia of historic and cultural continuity. The statues of the kings and queens change little in stance and dress over this period. However, their facial features bear witness to the association of each ruler with the political reality of his or her time. Pharaoh is human, not divine, but as one who intercedes and brings sacrifice stands closer to God than other mortals.

Hellenistic Ruler
Head of a Statue of Ptolemy´ X

Ptolemaic, 2nd century BCPink graniteHeight 26 cmInv.-No. ÄM 14079This portrait with beard, curly hair held by a diadem and grim facial expression, might at first view remind of a roman emperor. For this reason it was at first considered to be the roman emperor Caracalla. However the material, the back pillar and the remains of a royal inscription permit the statue to be assigned to an Egyptian king.
Through comparison with representations on coins it was possible to assign this statue head to the ruler Ptolemy X. The Ptolemais ruled Egypt after its conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C., until the conquest of Egypt by Rome (ca. 30 A.D.). They continued pharaonic traditions and legitimized their rule in part by following the canon of ancient Egyptian art.